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Jones calls for Trump to approve individual assistance for Alabamians affected by Hurricane Michael

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones urged President Donald Trump last week to push for approval of individual assistance grants for Alabamians impacted by Hurricane Michael. While a Major Disaster Declaration was approved last week, it only provides public assistance grants. Public assistance grants help local governments and community organizations, but can’t be disbursed to individuals recovering … Continued
November 12, 2018

No, Mr. Marshall, it’s you

A few hours after Bridgette Gentry Marshall ended her life on Sunday, June 24, her husband, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, approved a press release that exposed her, “long struggle with mental illness.” Just days later on Wednesday the 27, Marshall summoned the state’s news media to the Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Albertville where, in … Continued
July 2, 2018

Discriminating against companies contracted to secure border is unacceptable

It has recently been reported that several city and state governments are considering laws and ordinances to blacklist federal contractors because they wish to work on bolstering the infrastructure at the southern border, including construction of a wall. For example, the California State Senate considered legislation that would force the state to drop its investments … Continued
April 30, 2018

Piecemeal approach to ethics reform continues, and it’s questionable

Two bills designed to dramatically alter current ethics laws were approved by the House Ethics Committee last week. As introduced in the House, HB387, sponsored by Republican lawmaker Rep. Rich Wingo, would among other things allow public officials to hide potentially illegal acts under a new notifications rule. Wingo’s bill is companion legislation to SB221, … Continued
March 12, 2018

Senator says Ten Commandments in public schools could potentially prevent school shootings

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate on Tuesday approved a bill by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, that would authorize a state referendum on whether to allow the display of the Ten Commandments on public property and public schools — a proposal he says may prevent some mass shootings. The bill passed the … Continued
February 28, 2018

Senate committee approves bill to allow display of Ten Commandments on public property

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter An Alabama Senate committee approved a bill Thursday that will allow for the public display of the Ten Commandments on public property including government building grounds and public schools. The bill, by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, received a unanimous vote from the Senate Constitution, Ethics and Elections committee after … Continued
February 9, 2018

Senate approves bill intended expand rural broadband access

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate on Thursday approved a bill intended to expand rural access to highspeed broadband internet. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Guntersville, aims to expand private investment in broadband infrastructure by providing tax incentives to telecommunications and cable companies that invest in rural areas. Senate Bill … Continued
February 5, 2018

Ride-sharing bill approved in the House, but it will need a second vote in the Senate

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill that could potentially take ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft statewide. The House approved the bipartisan bill overwhelmingly, 97–3, after hours of debate led to a Democratic amendment, which adds more specific non-discrimination rules for the companies. The bill … Continued
January 31, 2018

Small income tax break gets Senate approval

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate approved a small income tax break Thursday. Part of the Republican agenda, the break would increase the adjusted gross income range for the largest standard income tax deduction, meaning some families will have a smaller tax burden next year. “We finally have some dollars to deal … Continued
January 26, 2018